ponteland high school higher education evening february 2013
TRANSCRIPT
Ponteland High School
Higher Education Evening
February 2013
Information for Parents
1. Choosing where to study & what to study
2. How the application process works at PCHS
3. Financial concerns
Higher Education
• Universities• Colleges and
Institutes of Higher Education
• Further Education Colleges
Single English Language (BA)
Joint Geography and Statistics (BSc)
Major/Minor Modern Languages with Accounting (BA)
Sandwich Applied Biology with Placement
Year (BSc)
Choosing the Right Institution• Where would I live?• Halls of Residence?• Self catering flats?• Private accommodation?
What type? Old or new? Collegiate? City or campus?
Accessibility? How far is it from home? How much will it cost to go home?
What Size? Number of students in total? Number on selected course?
Social Life? Clubs & societies? Sport? Music, theatre….
Choosing a course and an institution
www.ucas.com/parents
www.educationuk.orgwww.prospects.ac.uk
www.Whatuni.com
The Application Process at PCHS
The UCAS Application Form
Apply Online: www.ucas.com The form asks for:• Personal information • Examination results: GCSE, AS
+ other relevant exams• A2 subjects to be taken• Chosen institutions• Personal statement• Reference
The 2013 application costs: £12 for one choice; £23 for 2-5 choices
UCAS 2014 will go ‘live’ in July 2013
Applying to University
July 2013 Registration begins
September First draft of form ready
Tutors check formsReturn for corrections
Process repeated if needed
Students give Dr Allena hard copy of the
complete applicationfor fine-tuning
Forms returned to student if needed
Reference addedApplication sent to UCAS
if UCAS fee has been paid
Deadlines
Oxbridge, Medics, Vets & DentistsOfficial deadlines:
15 October
Everyone else
(apart from Art & Design Route B)15 January
Internal deadlines
23 September
28 October (draft)
How places are offered
Two systems:• Grades e.g AAB• Tariff points:140 = A* at A2 level120 = A 100 = B80 = C60 = D40 = E
Also:• Portfolios of work• Sample work• Interviews• Auditions• Tests• Unit grades• Contextual
information
Following offers through
• Track – a system by which students can monitor their application
• Students can elect to keep 2 offers:
Conditional Firm - CF
Conditional Insurance - CI
In August students are automatically allocated to their firm offer if they meet the grade requirements
The UCAS ReferenceAdmissions Tutors look for:
• Good academic performance
• Academic potential
• Inter-relation with personal statement
The UCAS Personal Statement
Suggested structure:• Why do you want to study this subject?• What have you done in the past that
makes you particularly suitable to study this subject?
• What else have you done that would contribute to the course and the university community and makes you an interesting and unique individual?
Reasons for Rejection
• Too many excellent candidates for too few places
• Unconvincing personal statement • Applicants for vocational courses not
demonstrating appropriate work experience• Predicted grades do not match expectations of
institution• Failure to meet the academic requirements in
August (leads to UCAS Extra in March or Clearing in August)
The Financial Aspect
‘ A mixture of a graduate tax and a loan on good terms’Martyn Lewis
http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/students/ -https://www.gov.uk/browse/education/student-finance
www.direct.gov.uk/studentfinance (online forms)
Tuition Fees
• Much of the cost of HE is still paid by the government
• In 2006 universities began to charge variable fees – currently capped at £9000 per year
• Most English institutions have opted for £9000 - ‘You get what you pay for’ image
An important messageNO undergraduates are required to pay any fees at any time while they are studying at university
• Fees can be paid at the time or deferred until after graduation, & only when earning at least £21,000 per year.
• This is done by taking out a fee loan alongside a maintenance (living cost) loan.
Student Loans
Two types which combined = amount of debt
a graduate repays
Living cost LoanPaid directly to student;
Income assessed3 instalments
Tuition fee LoanCovers fees
Paid directly to universityNon-income assessed
Living cost loans (2013 entry figures)
Students receive their loan in 3 instalments.
£5,500 max. for those living away from home
(£7,675 max. in London)
£4,375 max. if living at home
What will university cost?
Up to £9,000 fees per annum (+inflation)
So …
£9,000 per annum x 3 yr. degree £27,000
Living costs loan of about £16,000
Total loan debt on graduation perhaps around £43,000
Living Cost Loan + Grant
Variable rates dependent on income:
Income Loan + Grant = Total£25,000 £3875 £3250 £7125£35,000 £4784 £1432 £6216£40,000 £5239 £523 £5762£50,000 £4788 0 £4788£60,000 £3788 0 £3788
Special offers!
• Discounts likely for shortage subjects • Scholarships possible to encourage
more able students• Bursaries for disadvantaged and/or
high achieving students• Offers ‘in kind’ – laptops, rent rebates,
field trips, sports membership etc. Be cautious!
• Partners: www.ncl.ac.uk/partners
NHS Bursarieshttp://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/816.aspx - • Chiropody• Dental Hygiene• Dental Therapy• Dietetics• Nursing• Midwifery• Occupational
Therapy
• Orthoptics
• Physiotherapy
• Prosthetics & Orthotics
• Radiography
• Speech & Language
Loan Repayment
• Repayments begin once earning are in excess of £21,000
• Repayments are fixed at 9% of any income over £21,000
• Repayments are deducted at source• Interest is added according to the rate of
inflation and is means tested.• Outstanding loan debts are written off after 30
years.• Some on low salaries will NEVER pay off their
loan in full during the 30 years.
Typical Repayments
• Graduate salary of £21,000 or less: repayment = nil.
• Graduate salary of £24,000: • repayment = £22.50 pcm• Graduate salary of £30,000:• Repayment = £67.50 pcm• salary of £50,000• Repayment = £217 pcm
Additional Government Help
For certain undergraduates:• Disabled Students’ Allowance
• Parents’ Learning Allowance
• Adult Dependents’ Allowance
• Care Leavers’ Allowance
• Access to Learning Fund (AFL)
Is it worth the expense? It’s important to be realistic
What about getting a job?Study the university tables – jobs depend on subject,
degree qualification, institution & what else a student has to offer. A degree becomes a ‘screening device’ for employers
What if I want to make money?medicine (including vet.), dentistry, engineering &
economics fare well• But …most jobs do NOT depend on the subject of the
degree.• Graduate earnings are better than non-graduate
earnings (approx. £300,000 over a working life on average)
Is it worth the expense?
YES!• A life-changing experience• A long-term investment in your career• Many jobs only employ graduates • Opportunity to make the most of yourself• HE tends to happen once & the loan is only
taken out once
• But .. It’s not about money, but controlling your own destiny.
And now for something completely different!
Studying Abroad Information EveningWednesday 13th March at 17.30
Durham Johnston Comprehensive SchoolCrossgate MoorDurhamDH1 4SU
Speakers from European and American universities will be present to discuss this option
• Parents information studying abroad: www.astarfuture.co.uk/parents.html